This movie came highly recommended to me from a co-worker whom I'm fairly certain practices dark magic in his spare time. (At the very least he's a bright guy who's really into gaming, and knows a thing or two about spells.) He convinced me that this film is a cut above your average early 70's cult-witch-psychedelic boob-fest.
And it's true, this movie strives for more. It follows the trials of Simon, a gifted warlock who lives in a storm drain. People perceive him as either a street magician, a pathetic vagrant, or all around cool guy. Simon's appearance and demeanor is that of a wizened Bee Gee who's seen some serious shit. The actor who plays him (Andrew Prine) carries the film with his deep commitment to the character. After getting arrested for walking in the rain, Simon befriends Turk, a male prostitute who quickly becomes his trusty sidekick.
To clarify - Turk is presented as a male prostitute who primarily services women (as if such a thing ever existed). Turk introduces him to a millionaire playboy who is quite impressed with Simon's magical skizzles. Aware that Simon is uniquely gifted, but has little to show for it, the rich gentleman challenges him to use his powers to "tip the scale". Once a warlock is challenged he must either use his power or lose it. This results in some deaths... It culminates with a psychedelic bug-out sequence after Simon jumps through a mirror.
Truth be told I was slightly bored at first but became intrigued by the end.
7 comments:
I could have sworn I reviewed this last year but can't find it on the blog so it must have been an off season watch. Anyway, I liked it too it is screamingly 70's in every way. Love your comment about male prostitutes servicing women and it's always good looking women too, like they are having trouble finding a man.
"Simon's appearance and demeanor is that of a wizened Bee Gee who's seen some serious shit." 1973, huh? I just can't do it. I just can't watch horror movies from the early 70s. In my experience horror movies from 1970-1974 move at a glacial pace with little action and lots of boobs (well, the boobs part is okay).
Great review! I loved the Bee Gee line as well. And I think "early 70's cult-witch-psychedelic boob-fest" is a genre I can get behind.
I think "early 70's cult-witch-psychedelic boob-fest" is a genre I'm okay with skipping. Happy to hear it turned out to be interesting!
Sounds missable, unless there's a so-bad-it's-good aspect. Three stars is my second least favorite number of stars.
Nice one, AC. You made me laugh.
Wizened Bee Gee! Lol!!!
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